Apparatus for heat treatment of raw materials for production of a melt
includes a first chamber having a first chamber crucible, a first chamber inlet
for a raw material leading to the first chamber crucible, at least one first chamber
microwave generator, and a first chamber outlet for a melt formed from the raw
material, at least a second chamber having a second chamber crucible, a second
chamber inlet for receiving the melt leading to the second chamber crucible, at
least one second chamber microwave generator, and a second chamber outlet, and
one or more baffles or cascades arranged within the apparatus so that the melt
flows over, under, or through an opening in at least one of the baffles or cascades.
A preheating chamber and/or a storage chamber can also be included. A method of
producing a homogeneous melt from raw materials by volume microwave heating is
also provided.
